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Do the Benefits of Keeping Whales in Captivity Outweigh the Costs? As a society we have learned a lot about killer whales since we first started keeping them captive in the 1960s. Some attribute our knowledge and love for these animals to the fact that we have been able to connect closely with them in captivity. The primary benefit of keeping whales in captivity is that it is a means of educating the public about the animals. Viewing such magnificent animals up close and personal can inspire individuals toward conservation. Still, many argue that keeping orcas in captivity is unethical. Captive orcas often suffer from illness and disease that they would otherwise not. Numerous captive orcas show abnormal aggression toward other whales and people. Consequently, the overall life expectancy is significantly lower among captive whales. Science and ethical questions are leading animal activist in the fight against marine mammal theme parks, and animal entertainment. Pro-captivity activists are fighting back. Many are questioning, do the benefits of keeping whales in captivity outweigh the costs? Visiting SeaWorld in itself provides many opportunities for learning. Aside from just visiting the park SeaWorld has several education programs. Most programs include day or week long camps where participants have the opportunity to learn about specific animals or behaviors. In edition to educational programs offered at SeaWorld, SeaWorld has a conservation fund. The SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund was set up to, provide guests with an easy, direct way to get involved and make a difference (Conservation. Its in our Nature 6). While you cannot disagree that SeaWorld does have a conservation fund, many criticize that SeaWorld itself does not contribute a significant amount to that fund. According to Jaime, Author of the blog Cetacean Inspiration, the money that SeaWorld itself donates to the fund, barely registers. Jaime goes on to state that, Funding for the program largely comes from donation and grants (Jaime 2). David Kirby, Author of Death at SeaWorld, notes on his blog that, A careful review of the published, peer-

2 reviewed literature shows that most studies done on SeaWorlds orcas pertain to the husbandry of captive animals, with little benefit for those in the ocean (Kirby 5). Therefore SeaWorld is misleading park visitors. Advertising conservation efforts is a marketing ploy to attract more visitors.

Annual Gross Income for SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. Compared to Estimated Annual Dollar Amount Contributed to SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund

1,200,000,000 1,000,000,000 800,000,000 600,000,000 400,000,000 200,000,000 0

891.08 M

1B

1.14 B

U.S Dollars

49.53 M
1M 1M 1M 1M

2009

2010

2011 Year

2012

According to the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund website, the average annual dollar amount contributed to the fund is 1 million dollars. Even if SeaWorld funded 100% of that total, compared to the parks gross annual income, it would still be a very small contribution from the park itself. Park supporters will continue to press the idea that without captivity there is no means of education. But today, there are several opportunities for learning that will have less impact on the animals, and their natural environments. Documentaries such as Planet Earth are loved by many and do a great job educating, and inspiring the public about wildlife. SeaWorld may provide an easily- accessible way to view wildlife up close, but that does not mean that its visitors are viewing the animals in the same sense that they would in the wild. Observing true wildlife and watching documentaries allow viewers to see the animals in their purest state. Life expectancy among captive orcas is significantly lower than wild orcas. In the wild female orcas have been known to live up to 90 years old, and male orcas can live up to 70. The average life expectancy for wild orcas is between 30-50 years old. Captive orcas rarely live pass their twenties Since

3 we first began keeping orcas in captivity there have been 159 recorded deaths. That number does not include stillborn calves, miscarriages, or failed pregnancies. Many of the causes of death are unknown. However, there are several reoccurring causes linked to whales death in captivity. Many attribute the high number of whales with diseases to the mental and physical stress of captivity. Of the 159 recorded orca deaths in captivity, only one cause of death is noted as old age (Kielty, Gorman 3).

Pneumonia, Drowning, & Severe Blood Loss

Malnutrition, Immune System Deficiencies, & Candidiasis

Hemorrhaging, Heart Failure, & Brain Abscesses

Skin Disease , Fungal Infections, & Physical Trauma

Gastric Ulceration, Twisted Intestine, & Lung Failure/Abscesses

Aside from an increase in disease and illness prevalent in captivity, captive whales also show increased amounts of aggression toward both whales, and their human trainers. There is no record of a wild orca ever killing a human. Captive orcas are responsible for the lives of four humans, and for injuring thousands. Park officials are putting animal trainers in high risk situations by allowing them to work so closely with orcas. Following the death of Dawn Brancheau, OSHA cited SeaWorld with safety violations. According to Cindy Coe, OSHAs regional administrator in Atlanta Georgia, "SeaWorld recognized the inherent risk of allowing trainers to interact with potentially dangerous animals. Nonetheless, it required its employees to work within the pool walls, on ledges and on shelves where they were subject to dangerous behavior by the animals" (Surbey, DAquino 7). Tilikum, the whale involved in Brancheaus death is responsible for three human lives.

4 Behaviors associated with determining dominance are common in both wild and captive whales. In captivity whales are moved around frequently creating unusual social groups. Most wild orcas stay with their family for their entire lives, including males. Wild orcas have a strong sense of family while captive orcas often are separated from direct family members at young ages. Extremely aggressive behavior between whales is almost unheard of in the wild, but that is not the case for whales in captivity. In 1989 Corky, a whale at SeaWorld was acting aggressive toward Kandu (another whale), likely over Kandus new born calf. Corkys behavior aggravated Kandu, Kandu slammed her head into Corky so violently it severed a major artery in her upper jaw (Kirby 4). Following the attack Kandu bleed to death for 45 minutes, while SeaWorld employees and park visitors watched helplessly. Social abnormalities as well as, lack of environmental stimulation may lead captive whales to behaving more aggressively. Are the educational benefits more significant than the dangers associated with orca captivity? There are several means of educating oneself about animals that allow the animals to remain wild. It is not necessary to risk the lives of park visitors and employees to gain appreciation for the whales. Low life expectancy within captivity proves to us that the quality of lives that captive orcas live is much worse than it would be in the wild. It is time to put an end to captivity.

5 Works Cited: "Annual Finials for SeaWorld Entertainment Inc." Market Watch. The Wall Street Journal, n.d. Web. Oct. 2013. "SeaWorld and Conservation." Cetacean Inspiration. Wordpress, 18 Nov. 2011. Web. Oct. 2013. Kielty, John, and Colleen Gorman. "Deceased Orcas by Date." The Orca Project. Wordpress, 22 Oct. 2013. Web. Oct. 2013. Kirby, David. "SeaWorld Refutes New Film That Exposes the Cruel Treatment of Captive Whales." Take Part. Participant Media, 13 July 2013. Web. Oct. 2013. Kirby, David. "Talking Points, Orca Conservation & Science." Death At SeaWorld. Wordpress, n.d. Web. Oct. 2013. SeaWorld And Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. "Conservation. It's in Our Nature." Conservation Fund. SeaWorld And Busch Gardens, n.d. Web. Oct. & Nov. 2013. Surbey, Jason, and Michael D'Aquino. "News Release." United States Department Of Labor. U.S Department Of Labor, 23 Aug. 2010. Web. Oct. 2013.